In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. “O My Lord! Relieve my mind. And ease my task for me; and loose a knot from my tongue. That they may understand what I say, “(Al-Qur’an 20:25-28)

 

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful. O my Lord! Relieve my mind. And ease my task for me; and loose a knot from my tongue. That they may understand what I say.  (Al-Qur’an 20: 25–28).

During my PhD Course in Comparative Religion I had an opportunity to make research and acquire a little knowledge about the fundamentals of all the leading religions of the world although my doctoral thesis mainly related to concept of God in these religions especially in Islam. This little research and little knowledge has prompted me to embark on the venture of writing this book despite the fact that I understand little knowledge is a dangerous thing. The pious intention behind this venture is to share my ideas with you about a subject which has always inspired interest among the readers around the world. I have no pretensions nor any claims to have attained any mastery over all the religions of the world as I believe that even a lifetime is insufficient to properly comprehend one aspect of one religion let alone pretending to know all the religions with a selective study of few years.

I have just picked up material from here and there – mainly from Encyclopedias and Holy scriptures – and have compiled it intelligently in the form of a book. About Islam I have taken material mostly from my own books. Thus the book produced by me is not a piece of an original thought, and so do not judge it by that standard. At the best it can be called a piece of research and compilation work arranged through a scientific and systematic approach. Do not consider that a writer is master of the subject about which he is writing. He may not be knowing more than what you know. It is only hard work and will which are mainly required to write a book. Kindly forgive me for my frankness.

While writing this book I have strictly followed, like a true Muslim, the direction given by God to the Prophet of Islam: “Revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah lest they wrongly revile Allah through ignorance” – (Al – Qur’an 6:108). I have not, therefore, criticized any aspect of any religion nor I have used any harsh word about belief or practice of any religious community. Best of every religion has been taken – usually from the writings of its own followers – and has been collected in this compendium. But still I seek your indulgence if you find any objectionable material in this book about any faith. Certainly it would by due to my ignorance and error of judgment and not due to any bad motive or deliberate action on my part. Please do not hesitate to point it out so that necessary corrections may be made in the next edition.

While dealing with each religion, more emphasis has been laid on the teachings of its founder along with his biographical sketch, beliefs and practices of its followers, concept of God held in that religion, festivals and holidays observed, daily life of its adherents, and sects or divisions which have emerged in that faith. History of the faith, philosophy and mythology connected with it, miracles performed by the gods and founders and such like other subjects have been willfully ignored.

I must acknowledge and place on record my debt of gratitude which I owe to those authors of the books and producers of encyclopedias to whose works I have many often referred. I have not only benefited from their valuable works but have also quoted large extracts from them to cover my deficiency of knowledge. May God shower His infinite blessings on them and their families!

I am also extremely thankful to my wife Dr. Nasreen Sharif who has relieved me of many of my household responsibilities and has thus enabled me to devote myself whole heartedly to research and writing. Her contribution, though indirect one, has always been more than that of mine. She can rightly be called co-author of this book and you can place her name above that of mine.

I am also grateful to Professor Abdul Jabbar Shakir, Director Libraries Punjab, who provided me access to some very useful material for the present book. My thanks are also due to those persons – publishers, composers, printers, artists – who have helped some way or the other in publication of the book.

Now I conclude this foreword with my usual prayers to the Almighty God: O My Lord! Increase me in knowledge (Al-Qur’an 20:114).

 Muhammad Sharif Chaudhry

March 23, 2003

169-A/I Township, Lahore, Pakistan.

Email: alshaufi@yahoo.com

 

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